At 23, Stevan Jovetic was touted to become the next big thing in the Premier League. The Montenegrin striker was fresh off a 35-goal season in Fiorentina and had the world at his feet. He did get a Premier League medal (2013-14), but injuries and lack of appearances pushed his career sideways.

Now four years later, after being passed on from club to club (Man City to Inter Milan to Sevilla), Jovetic finally seems to have found a new lease of life in Spain. He looks sharp again like during his Fiorentina days, goal-hungry with lightning boots. A terror for defenders. “I was not lucky in City. I arrived at the end of the summer and I was injured with the national team. I came back, I made a few goals and I got injured again. I lacked continuity to give my best level. But I do not regret going there, because I wanted to win titles and I did it. It was a great experience,” Jovetic told Mirror via e-mail.

Biggest game

Tonight Jovetic prepares for one of the biggest games in the league. No, this is not the El Clasico. But yes, it is the next best thing in La Liga this season. Third-placed Sevilla travel to Madrid to take on their pursuers Atletico.

In recent years, both teams have strived to move out of Real and Barca’s mighty shadows. The result — La Liga is not a two-horse race anymore. Sevilla have three consecutive Europa League titles to their name, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico won the league in 2014 and finished runnersup in the Champions League twice in three years.

Jovetic reckons his team is a work in progress. “Here I have found a very strong group — one beyond individuals that I believe still have room for growth. The League is complicated, because Madrid and FC Barcelona are very powerful. We have to go game by game and see how far we can go,” Jovetic said. “Our goal is to qualify for the Champions League.”

Jovetic waxed eloquent about coach Jorge Sampaoli, who is one of the favourites to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona. “He is a coach who believes in the passion of the game and I like that, because I consider that the fundamental thing to perform is to enjoy the pitch. I am an attacking footballer and his ideas benefit me. He is a great motivator and knows how to bring out the best of us.”

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